Ethereum developers have scheduled testnet trials for Pectra, set to begin on February 26. If successful, the long-awaited upgrade could go live in April.
The upgrade merges Prague and Electra updates, with EIP-7702 improving smart contract wallets and EIP-7251 raising the validator staking limit to optimize node operations.
Ethereum developers have confirmed test dates for Pectra, marking the network’s first major upgrade in nearly a year. The long-anticipated update aims to enhance wallets and validators but comes as Ethereum faces growing pressure from its community. Competitors such as Solana continue gaining traction, raising concerns about Ethereum’s ability to maintain its lead.
Testing will begin on February 26 on the Holesky testnet, followed by a second round on March 5 using the Sepolia testnet. If both phases proceed without issues, developers will meet on March 6 to finalize the launch timeline. According to Tim Beiko, Ethereum Foundation’s protocol support lead,
